Officers injured in collision while headed to a call

Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 7:13 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 7:13 p.m.

Two Polk County deputies were rushed to St. Luke's Hospital Wednesday afternoon with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries after their vehicles collided on John Shehan Road in Tryon.

Sgt. C. M. Goodson of the State Highway Patrol said officers Brian Atkins and Jerad McFalls, both of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, were heading to a traffic stop around 3:30 p.m. when Atkins attempted a U-turn.

Atkins, who was driving a Ford Crown Victoria, whipped onto John Shehan Road, near Highway 9, and "immediately came into the path" of McFalls' Chevy Tahoe SUV, Goodson said. Atkins was pinned inside the squad car until help arrived.

<p>Two Polk County deputies were rushed to St. Luke's Hospital Wednesday afternoon with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries after their vehicles collided on John Shehan Road in Tryon.</p><p>Sgt. C. M. Goodson of the State Highway Patrol said officers Brian Atkins and Jerad McFalls, both of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, were heading to a traffic stop around 3:30 p.m. when Atkins attempted a U-turn. </p><p>Atkins, who was driving a Ford Crown Victoria, whipped onto John Shehan Road, near Highway 9, and "immediately came into the path" of McFalls' Chevy Tahoe SUV, Goodson said. Atkins was pinned inside the squad car until help arrived. </p><p>The accident is still under investigation.</p>